P-Square and Rebuilding the Twin Towers
September 11, 2001 was a sad day for the United States of America and indeed the world, the International World Trade Center, known as the ‘Twin Towers’ which at the time of their completion were the tallest buildings in the world, was attacked by terrorists linked to the late jihadist and extremist Osama Bin Laden. Till this day, the unfortunate event that brought the world to a temporal standstill is still engraved in the hearts of many, most especially the citizens and inhabitants of the US who were first hand witnesses of the gruesome incident. Right about the same period on the other side of the globe, in a country that was just recovering from the throes of military rule, adjusting to democracy and digitalization, two brothers Peter (Mr. P) and Paul (RudeBoy) Okoye under the moniker P-Square, were developing a career that would eventually take them to lofty heights, same heights that would make them tower above other artists in the music industry, like the world trade centre towered over other sky scrapers in New York city and the world.
The duo were known for unofficially interpolating and sampling foreign songs in their music, drawing major influence and inspiration from RnB, pop and dancehall music that were popular at the time, even notably assuming the looks, dress sense and style of the modern day RnB legend Usher. That same year the duo was nominated as the ‘Most Promising African Group’ in the prestigious Kora Awards and won the ‘Grab Da Mic’ competition prompting Benson & Hedges to sponsor their debut album Last Nite. This was a major platform to lift the talented duo into the limelight, and a few years later, after releasing their sophomore album Get Squared in 2005, they were already important in the industry causing teenage me to learn some Usher-like dance moves just for the hell of it.
As twin brothers, there was the perceived trait of camaraderie, understanding and ‘division of labour’ between them that made music lovers like myself intuitively assume and recognise their respective contributions as a duo, without them expressly stating the roles each of them had. My mind always saw the duo as one dancer, one singer/songwriter, and maybe, decades later I am right. Comparing their solo efforts and visuals, their respective artistic talents is quite glaring. One is a good dancer, and the other is a better singer/songwriter.
P-Square has done so well in the industry, their success and popularity is well renowned, that it would prove difficult to come across a Nigerian, home and abroad not familiar with the name P-Square. They are right up there with other household names like ‘Tuface’, ‘Wizkid’ and the ever joyful expression of ‘Up NEPA!’. The duo are veterans in the Nigerian music industry, not only by years spent in the industry but due to consistency. Being relevant for almost two decades, they were able to make fans for themselves across different generations, although I like to believe younger fans may have received a sound that was already approaching the finish line of trending decline, they however managed to stay relevant through the years 2012 to 2016, having international collaborations with artists like T.I, Akon Rick Ross and Dave Scott and churning out commendable hits like. ‘Oga Police’, ‘Busy Body’, ‘Do Me’, ‘Ifunaya’, ‘Chop my money’, ‘Personally’ and ‘Beautiful Onyinye’.
However personal and managerial issues pushed them down slippery slope that neither of them could ascend from equipped with the strongest leather boots with rubber soles, and we wondered if it was going to last when they reunited briefly, for the single ‘Bank Alert’ in 2016, as they had already been going through some personal and musical upheavals, coupled with a separation that looked bad at the time.
History has shown that group reunions are never palatable like the first and original union, even when family members are involved. I remember the uninteresting and lukewarm ‘Plan B’ album that Plantashun Boiz were coerced to release in 2007, the same year P-Square released their best-selling album, Game Over.
In 2008, Styl Plus dropped the reunion project ‘Back N Better’ with the single ‘4 years’ the only flickering light that failed to match up with the glow of their previous projects. Even unconventional groups like Mo’ Hits (now Mavin), Choc boys and Trybesmen did not find it easy getting back on the ship they once sailed, even after years of proper rebranding, necessary adjustments, inclusions and exclusions.
Although I’m indifferent about a reunion, because it seems inevitable, core fans clamor for it to happen soon enough, however for now it is still uncertain if they will truly get back together in the nearest future and keep releasing music as P-Square. It makes me wonder though, what do they really have to offer if they were to truly come back and perform together as P-Square? Individually they were subpar, and I feel as a duo aiming for more and revamped success could be a herculean task for them as they will be competing against a lot of refreshing and vibrant acts now in the industry.
The reunion, which already seems like a reoccurring decima could be a futile attempt, as I feel they are already too out of touch and lack the creative/ vibrant effort needed to overcome the slippery slope they had embarked on even before they split. Judging from their individual efforts, it is obvious that they are stuck in a time zone very familiar to them, and could wander into unnecessary obscurity like their peers, while venturing into the modern music landscape. Even in this split it is obvious who is/was the ‘composer/songwriter’ and who is/was the ‘dancer’ in the duo, judging from their solo releases, yet in my opinion, Paul who is recognized as the songwriter among the duo may have had his pen subjected to serious wear and tear, and thus not consistent in penning down those hits he once wrote for the duo in the past.
The collapsed International World Trade Center was rebuilt and is now known as the ‘1 World Trade Center’ or ‘Freedom Towers’, this new building does not replicate the image of the collapsed predecessor, in that it stands alone, a tall sky scraper, with improved sophistication and protection than the previous building. It is the 7th tallest building in the world, and although it is still a majestic and iconic state of the art architectural feat, it cannot measure up with the height of the twin towers that collapsed during the September 11, 2001 attacks. Therefore, in the same vein, and in order to rebuild their brand, If P-Square truly intend to hold the music industry to ransom again, they should and can do that through another means, not the way they are used to, instead it is the opinion of this writer that they could explore other options, work as a singular unit with the sole aim of scouting for potential, signing and promoting budding artists, that need the type of platform they have to offer. Rudeboy (Paul) has already floated his own label named Fire Department Inc. and while this is laudable, working together as a unit has always proven to be a stronger option since time immemorial. Also given that the duo are stronger as a group, it also seems like the wiser option. We are all familiar with the saying ‘United we stand, divided we fall’.
The prospect of a reunited P-Square that is eager, positive and hoping to take the industry by storm solely by making hits doesn’t seem feasible to this writer at this point, although the unique feature of their consistency is one that should be admired, they haven’t been consistent for a while and did not have blistering solo careers when they were apart. They are known to be consistent in staying relevant and delivering good music, but on the other hand, who is to say they will not repeat a split, a repeated act that could justify their flawed consistency of not sticking together.
It is this writer’s opinion that the duo charts a different course in the music industry as they might not be expecting the popular reception from fans and critics alike when they indeed return. There is too much modern music to listen to and keep up with, and I doubt P-Square are capable, rejuvenated and vibrant enough to satisfy impatient fans.
Perhaps this piece (if they see it) may motivate them to storm the industry with a rain of hits over the next five years, or it could ultimately confirm the collapse of the twin brothers that once stood great and held the industry ransom for considerable amount of years. So just like the new 1 world trade center/Freedom towers now in New York which is obviously more technologically advanced, protected and sophisticated than its collapsed predecessor, P-Square can come back together, not as a musical duo but a single force sophisticated enough and committed to scout, produce and present the next best acts that will take over the industry in the coming years.
By K.D for Urban Central [Tweets @Durhminick]
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